“FOR YOU, BRETHREN, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea; for you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews” (1 Thess. 2:14). Previously, in the same letter, Paul had said: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6). Here the question of imitation of others is raised—both individual and collective. “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord.” Here is an individual imitation of Paul, and a collective imitation of the churches in Judea. Is there a place for imitation of others if we are in Christ? Does not being in Him make us separate and unique—a new creation?
The answer is that one portion of the passage, “imitators . . . of the Lord,” makes possible the imitation of others without loss of self-respect and individuality. When we are primarily imitators of the Lord, we can be secondarily imitators of others without losing our unique personality. The core of the personality is being shaped by being in Christ, and by being imitators of the Lord. This holds the citadel firm. Without this central loyalty and imitation one becomes a mere echo, but with the citadel firm, one is a voice.
Sure of oneself in Christ and sure of the primary imitation, one can afford to take any good from others he may deem useful. He is not afraid of taking from others since he takes so deeply and primarily from Christ. Imitation can become initiation when it goes through the creative activity of being in Christ. While we are in Him we take from everything and everybody, and then putting it all through the new creation we turn these things into something new.
O Lord Jesus, I thank Thee that in Thee I am bound and free. I’m free to take any good I see in anything or anybody, for I see good in Thee. Everything serves me, now that I serve Thee. I have the wealth of Thee and of all good people. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I am primarily an “imitator of the Lord,” so now I can be an imitator of any good man.
